PrEP is available for free through HSC Northern Ireland. Following a successful pilot program, it is now part of routine sexual health care. However, accessing it can involve significant wait times, particularly outside of Belfast.

🏥 The HSC Route: Self-Referral

You do not need a GP referral to get PrEP in Northern Ireland. You self-refer directly to your local GUM clinic.

How to start:

  1. Identify your local GUM clinic (e.g., Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, or Altnagelvin in Derry/Londonderry).
  2. Call their appointment line and request a PrEP assessment.

At your initial appointment, the clinic will conduct a baseline HIV test, a full STI screen, and a kidney function blood test. If cleared, you will be issued your first supply of PrEP. Monitoring bloods (HIV, kidney function, STIs) are required every three months.

Wait Times: Appointments for initial PrEP assessments can carry significant wait times. The Belfast clinic handles the highest volume of patients and is highly efficient, but rural clinics may have less capacity.

💊 The Workaround: Buying Privately (IWPN)

If you need PrEP immediately and cannot secure a timely clinic slot, you do not have to wait to protect yourself. It is completely legal in the UK to import up to a 3-month supply of generic PrEP for personal use, and this applies equally in Northern Ireland.

The charity I Want PrEP Now (IWPN) maintains a strictly vetted list of reliable online pharmacies that ship genuine generic PrEP.

Test Before You Start: It is critical that you confirm you are HIV-negative before taking your first PrEP pill. Use the SH:24 postal testing service (via sexualhealthni.info) to get an HIV test immediately prior to starting any private supply.

  • Speed: You can have PrEP delivered in days while you wait for your HSC slot.
  • Cost: Generic PrEP from vetted suppliers usually costs around £15–£20 a month.
  • Legality: 100% legal for personal use.
  • Monitoring: You still need to get your kidney function and HIV status checked every 3 months.

The Hybrid Approach: Buy your first 3 months privately to get protected immediately, while joining the HSC waitlist. When your clinic appointment comes up, tell them you are already buying it privately—they will transition you onto the free HSC supply.

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